Delhi rejects Arvind Kejriwal brand of politics: Rajdeep Sardesai's key takeaways

Delhi rejects Arvind Kejriwal brand of politics: Rajdeep Sardesai's key takeaways

Follow Us On: NewsOpinionDelhi rejects Arvind Kejriwal brand of politics: Rajdeep Sardesai's key takeawaysDelhi rejects Arvind Kejriwal brand of politics: Rajdeep Sardesai's key takeawaysThe BJP is set to win a decisive majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly against the Aam Aadmi Party led by Arvind Kejriwal. Here are Rajdeep Sardesai's key takeaways from the Delhi poll verdict that saw the BJP making a comeback in the national capital after over a quarter-century.

Arvind Kejriwal’s moral halo has been dented, especially in his second term, Rajdeep Sardesai writes.

Rajdeep SardesaiNew Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 8, 2025 20:01 ISTIn Short

• BJP wins Delhi after 27 years, defeating AAP
• Delhi favours BJP's 'double engine' government
• Corruption scandals weakened AAP's image

Delhi’s political landscape has been turned on its head. What was the undisputed stronghold of the Aam Aadmi Party for over 10 years has now swung decisively in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party, scripting a comeback for the saffron party after over two decades. The 2025 Delhi Assembly election was nothing short of a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal, and the verdict is loud and clear—voters have rejected the brand of politics that once catapulted AAP to power.

Plagued by corruption scandals, Kejriwal’s party has been dealt a crushing blow, while the BJP’s well-oiled electoral machine capitalised on the anti-incumbency wave with ruthless precision. The national capital has made its choice known: it’s the promised double engine government of the BJP.

There are plenty of takeaways that I have for you from this historic verdict that has been delivered by the residents of Delhi:

Takeaway 1: The 2025 Delhi elections was a referendum on Arvind Kejriwal and his brand of politics. The voters have given a thumbs down to it this time. This was the ultimate anti-incumbency election.

Takeaway 2: Kejriwal’s moral halo has been dented, especially in his second term, by a series of controversies from the alleged Delhi liquor scam to the 'sheeshmahal' charge.

Takeaway 3: The BJP had the on-ground machinery to exploit Kejriwal’s weaknesses by effectively localising the campaign.

Takeaway 4: The Congress played the role of spoiler, further undermining Kejriwal’s political equity

Takeaway 5: Delhi has seen a sharp class divide - the income divide was stark, with the middle classes in particular angered by crumbling infrastructure

Takeaway 6: The ‘double engine’ model of Modi as PM and a BJP CM in Delhi has been accepted.

Published By: Anuja JhaPublished On: Feb 8, 2025Tune InMust Watch